Partial removal of helm bulkhead on older 16

A

Alyssa Jean

New member
On the older 16s (mine and Pats are 1989's) the bulkhead runs from one side to the other with a small trapazoidal opening in the center to access the V bow area. In the later models the bulkhead is only behind the helm area with the port side open to the bow area.
A few questions before I fire up the new rotozip and other cutting machines.

At the bottom of the bulkhead and up to a height of about 9" is a one piece piece which appears to be glued to the sides of the hull and across the floor which is about 3/4"-1" thick. The one piece 1/4" +- thick main bulkhead is attached to the top of the lower piece with 4 or so SS screws. I want to cut out everything from the right edge of the access opening up to under the windshield to the left. Is the lower thicker piece important structurally to the hull integrity?
I would like to cut this out flush with the existing floor. I would edge the cut out with the white vinyl edging.

The "cabin" area floor is raised about 1 1/2" from the cockpit floor and I am not sure about the transition from the "cabin" floor under the bulkhead to the floor of the V area. There is a plywood floor under a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet which I assume was added by a previous owner.

Any suggestions, concerns comments etc.?

16_bulkhead_001.sized.jpg
 
Anna Leigh":3e6gr11t said:
On the older 16s (mine and Pats are 1989's) the bulkhead runs from one side to the other with a small trapazoidal opening in the center to access the V bow area. In the later models the bulkhead is only behind the helm area with the port side open to the bow area.
Click to expand...

Can't help with your other questions, but I'm not sure this is correct. I was under the impression the closed/lockable area is in place on all 16 Anglers, and is open on the Cruisers - regardless of year.
 
David, I agree with Bill. I've always thought that all of the 16' Anglers had the enclosed/lockable v-berth and all of the 16' Cruisers are open on the port side.

However, from your posting, I'm guessing that yours is open now.... :wink
 
I would be cautious about cutting the 1" thick lower portion of the bulkhead. It may be structural.

I think inspecting a cruiser and comparing the differences in structure to an angler would be a good idea.
 
Here is a picture of the replacement shelf I made for Pats boat. It is temporarily held in place on my boat in this picture. 1/4" plywood, teak front edge, primered with 3 coats of latex enamel.


Pats_16_shelf_finished.sized.jpg
 
Anna Leigh":3jhculjb said:
Added a teak faced drawer to stow stuff.
Click to expand...

Hey...maybe you could fashion something up, so that anything stowed up there would be out of site and secure.

Sorry...forgot to take my Sacasma this morning. :mrgreen:
 
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